On May 28, 2014, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved amendments to Item AP1-2-3, Personal Optional Protection and Appendix ‘A’, Amounts Referred to in Policies that are Adjusted from Time to Time of the Assessment Manual.

As of January 1, 2015:

• the minimum amount of POP coverage available for purchase will increase from $1,500 per month to $1,800 per month;
• going forward, the minimum amount of POP coverage available for purchase will be raised automatically to reflect any increases to the BC provincial minimum wage; and
• policy regarding POP registration will be clarified to reflect current practice.

The Board of Directors approved these amendments to the POP policy after carefully considering feedback from stakeholders, including POP holders, from two rounds of consultation.

The Assessment Department sent information about these changes with POP invoices, and followed up with personalized letters to all firms carrying less than $1,800 per month in POP coverage.